I'm Brenda. I'm the founder and publisher of StepMom Magazine.

Stepfamily life is complicated, and becoming a stepmom was one of the biggest challenges I ever faced. I knew my partner had kids, but there was no way I could have predicted all the little "surprises" inherent to life as a stepmother.

There were times I felt alone. And crazy.

I searched online for resources to help, but found very little. So, with a marketing career under my belt, I decided to build what didn't exist — and launched StepMom Magazine in January 2009.

I'm so glad I did, because in the process I learned that I wasn't crazy and I wasn't alone. The good news is you're not alone either. Stepfamily issues are universal, which is why thousands of women in dozens of countries around the world have relied on us for advice and information about stepfamily dynamics.

After 17 incredible years, June 2026 marks our final issue. But everything we've built is still here for you. Our online store offers Back Issues and all-in-one eBooks — filled with researched advice, expert perspectives, and real-life wisdom — covering every challenge stepmoms face.

This magazine is the how-to guide I wished I had when I first met my husband. The articles changed our life. We've been married for more than 20 years. We made it to the other side — and you can too.